Nature has a way of making the things that we count on everyday for convenience very inconvenient. Storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods can quickly dismantle the power grid, leaving you and your family without the ability to charge important devices, power a radio, or operate necessary appliances. This BigBlue Cellpowa 500 review will explain the features of this low-cost alternative to a power generator that can give you the power you need in an emergency, but is also your best companion at tailgate parties, weekend camping trips, and all your other off-grid adventures. (>>> Find on Amazon)
BigBlue Cellpowa 500 Review of Specifications:
| BigBlue Cellpowa 500 | |
|---|---|
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| Wattage | 500 Watts |
| Voltage | 120V |
| Capacity | 537.6Wh |
| Item Weight | 17 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.3 x 8.2 x 8.2 inches |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
The Celllpowa 500 provides a continuous 500 watts of energy to power small appliances and charge numerous smartphones, tablets, and drone batteries. The unit features a LiFePO4 rechargeable battery built in that has over 2,000 life cycles and delivers 537.6 Watt-hours of power consistently.
Output Options
The primary use of devices such as this one is to power small appliances when the regular electricity grid isn’t available. As such, you’ll find two AC output ports on the Cellpowa 500 that provide up to a total of 500 watts with a peak of 1,000 watts to handle short bursts of power like when starting an appliance. Each of the AC ports offers true sine wave technology that protects sensitive electronics from damage caused by modified waves typically created by AC-DC converters.
The Cellpowa 500 provides four USB outputs. Two are standard USB-A Quick Charge 3.0 outputs. The other two are beefy 60 watt USB-C outputs that are ideal for the most modern devices. The combination of USB ports means that you can charge up to four devices simultaneously without any problems at all.
A 12v output is also available for powering small automotive appliances. This is a good way to power things like tire inflators or a work light that uses a 12v accessory plug.
Pros
- Ideal combination of power and size for portability making this an ideal option for tailgate parties, camping, and outdoor activities
- Easy to read LCD display provides the information you need without clutter or confusion
- Fast recharge rate makes this an ideal choice for emergencies
Cons
- No pass-through charging
- Some buyers received units that had errors in the charging circuit and required factory replacement
Input Options
Only a few years ago, even the best portable power generators would take a very long time to charge. Technology ha gron by leaps and bounds since then, and now you can get affordable power generators that can quickly recharge. The Cellpowa 500 is a great example. There are several ways to recharge this device that offer unparalleled convenience over older designs.
Using the AC input port is the fastest way to recharge the Cellpowa 500. Using just the included AC charger, this unit will recharge from fully discharged to 100% in six to seven hours. When you need it faster than that, you can also add a 60w USB charger that will combine with the 96A wall charger to reduce charging time to about 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Want it even faster? Double up the USB chargers and include the AC adapter and you can get a 0-80% charge in as little as two hours.
When grid power isn’t available, you’ll have other options as well. Included with the device is a 12v charging cable you can use to charge the Cellpowa 500 in 12-14 hours. That’s probably too long for most people, but you can also add two USB chargers to feed through the pd port to reduce that time to about 4 to 6 hours.
Optional solar panels are a popular accessory for portable power generators. This one will accept solar panels including the specially-designed BigBlue 100w and 150w solar kits. Using two solar panels, this unit will recharge in as little as four hours to get you back in the game as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The BigBlue Cellpowa 500 is an excellent option for people who need a modest portable power generator for small appliances and charging cell phones (>>> Check on Amazon). It isn’t big enough to handle most appliances, but it’ll do a great job getting you out of a jam or ensuring that your cell phone doesn’t run out of battery on a long outdoor weekend. We recommend testing your unit immediately after receiving it to ensure that all systems work as advertised.